Top surgeon offers new hope for assault victim left with horrific brain injuries

Hope for assault victim Shane Grogan, pictured with his dad Joe, sister Sarah and mother Joan, who will be treated by a leading neurological consultant

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A man left in a near vegetative state after a vicious assault is to be treated by a world-renowned brain specialist.

Shane Grogan’s family hope British neurosurgeon Derar Badwan can help him back to them.

The 25-year-old suffered horrific brain injuries when he was hit over the head with a brick by thug Shane Byrne in an unprovoked attack in Tuam, Co Galway, in August 2012.

Shane, who is from Tuam, needs round-the-clock care and his been in hospitals in Dublin and Galway for the past two years.

Now his family have been given a glimmer of hope after Shane was deemed suitable for a place at the specialist brain unit at Leamington Spa Hospital.

His father Joe said: “Mr Badwan came to Tuam and spent some time with Shane and also spoke with us as a family to learn of our experiences.

“He has been very frank about what he can achieve with Shane and has made no promises.

“But he believes he can help him get to the point where Shane will be able to communicate, even if it’s just small hand gestures.

“Even that would be a massive step forward.”

More than €100,000 has been raised over the past 16 months by the Care For Shane Trust that was set up to fund a purpose-built, self-contained unit at the family home. This latest development has halted plans to build the new unit.

Shane’s heartbroken dad added: “The initial assessment will take three months and from there on Shane will receive treatment for as long as it takes.

“We did intend building here at the back of the shop but there’s little point in going ahead with that when Shane can get better treatment over in England.

“We don’t want to waste a penny of all the money that has been raised, and that money is currently going towards the treatment he is receiving here in Tuam.

“We want people to be assured that this money is solely for Shane’s care and we have no access or control over it.”